Kentucky and Indiana have received federal disaster declarations days ago, but Ohio did not, and people in Clermont County want to know why the damage in their neighborhood was not enough for the federal government to step in.

David Prater said it's been eight days since his brother, James Prater, died in a mobile home in Bethel.

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"The floor's the only thing that's left. It's about 100, maybe 200 feet down the hill over there, and everything else is just disintegrated," said David Prater.

David Prater said his family is bringing themselves to burn what's left of his brother's home.

On Saturday, the family found out the Federal Emergency Management Agency will not be helping them.

"It hurts tremendously," David Prater said.

The news came Friday night that the president denied the governor's request for a disaster declaration, which would have freed up federal dollars for rebuilding efforts.

"FEMA determined that the damages were not beyond the capabilities of the state and the local agencies," said FEMA spokeswoman Sandy Jasmund. "We look at the severity and the magnitude of the disaster, and the concentration of damages. It could be the types of traumas that exist. (We also look at) large numbers of injuries, deaths, how it affects a community on a whole community level."

"I guess not enough people died in this county is all I can say. I guess you had to have more deaths before you'll (get) help," David Prater said.

James Prater was one of three Ohioans who died in last Friday's severe weather, and his home was one of more than 300 ripped apart by the tornado that tore through Clermont County.

David Prater said neighbors will have to rely on each other.

"This county pulls together when it needs to, so that's all we can do. (We) can't do anything else until then," David Prater said.

The governor applied Saturday morning for relief through the small business administration, which if approved, could help renters and homeowners who are eligible get thousands in low interest loans to help them rebuild.